Inhalation of arthronidia is responsible for infection by __.
A Mycoplasma
B Chlamydophila
C Streptococcus
D Blastomyces
E Coccidioides
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Blastomyces.
Explanation:
Inhalation of arthroconidia is a key factor in the infection process caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, a fungal pathogen. Blastomyces is a dimorphic fungus, meaning it exists in two forms depending on the environment: as a mold in the environment (producing arthroconidia) and as a yeast in human tissue. The disease it causes, called blastomycosis, primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body, including the skin and bones.
When individuals inhale arthroconidia—the reproductive spores of Blastomyces—from contaminated soil or decaying organic matter, they can become infected. The spores, which are typically 2 to 10 microns in size, are small enough to reach the lower parts of the respiratory tract upon inhalation. Once inside the lungs, these spores can germinate into yeast cells, which are capable of causing an infection.
Blastomycosis is more common in certain geographic regions, particularly in areas with abundant soil and organic matter, like parts of the Midwest, Southeastern United States, and parts of Canada. However, it is less common in other parts of the world.
The symptoms of blastomycosis can mimic those of other respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia, making it challenging to diagnose without specific tests. Common symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. If untreated, the infection can spread to other organs, causing more severe manifestations.
Chlamydophila and Mycoplasma are bacterial pathogens, and Streptococcus is associated with bacterial infections as well, none of which are related to inhalation of arthroconidia. Coccidioides, another fungus, causes coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever), but it is not primarily associated with arthroconidia.